26 Sex workers win appeal

n a surprise and interesting end to the saga of the 26 prostitutes, an Accra Regional Tribunal has upheld their appeal against the sentence imposed on them by the Oust Community Tribunal. It has consequently reviewed the three month jail term and substituted it with a fine of ?100,000 each. The 26, who were at the court early on Monday, were this time modestly dressed, with a significant reduction in their make-ups, and after the tribunal gave the ruling, they started paying the fines to ensure their freedom.

Giving the ruling the chairman of the tribunal, Adu Gyamfi, said that the sentence was unlawful, and that the Community Tribunal Chairman erred in his judgment. Adu Gamin noted that even those who pleaded guilty with explanation were not allowed to give their reasons. That he said was because in the written judgment of the Osu tribunal Chairman, nothing was entered as reason given by the convicts. Consequently he sentenced each of them to a fine of ?100,000 or two weeks imprisonment in default, and cautioned them against the practice.

About a month ago, the 26 appealed against their conviction and were each granted ?200,000 bail with a surety by the Regional Tribunal. Their counsel, E.O. Komatsi, in his substantive appeal, argued that the section of the law under which his clients were being charged had been flouted. He argued that the three-month custodial sentence was unlawful since the law provided that a fine, not exceeding 25 pounds for a first and second offence, could be demanded. He said according to the law a third or subsequent offence shall be guilty of misdemeanor.